“You will find me there,” replied Rosworm.
They then separated.
Their discourse had taken place in the inner room of a large inn situated in the market-place, the other rooms of the house being filled with soldiers, who were refreshing themselves after their active service on the walls.
In the market-place itself, some five or six hundred pikemen and clubmen were collected, numbers of whom were listening to a preacher in a grey cloak, stationed at the foot of the old stone cross, who was congratulating them on the glorious victory they had achieved.
Alas! how soon was the scene changed. That place now filled with stalwart men was speedily to be choked up with the dead and dying.
The tone of the preacher at the cross in the market-place was full of exultation.
“They compassed us about,” he said, “but they have not prevailed against us. The Lord of Hosts was with us, and fought for us, and if they return, he will help us to smite them again.”
Little did he dream that in the next assault, he himself would be smitten.
| Go to Table of Contents |
IV
How Engracia and her Father escaped by the subterranean Passage
IN the upper room of a house, scarcely more than fifty yards from the mud walls surrounding the town, was a beautiful young damsel, whose attire and features showed she belonged to a different clime. She was kneeling in prayer, with a small crucifix clasped in her hands, on which her eyes were fixed.
Close beside her was another kneeling figure—a woman somewhat older than herself, and of inferior degree, but not without pretensions to good looks.
Both were very earnest in their supplications to the Blessed Virgin to deliver them from the hands into which they had fallen, and when they arose, they believed that their prayers would be heard.
The dreadful sounds that had recently assailed their ears, and filled them with terror, had ceased. No more roaring of cannon—no more rattling of musketry—no more shouting.
The attack was over, and seemed to have ended in the defeat of their friends, for as such they regarded the assailants. But though greatly distressed by this result, they did not believe that Heaven would abandon them; nor did they think the fight was entirely ended.
The room in which we find Engracia and her attendant Maria, looked towards the town, and on approaching the windows, they beheld a great number of musketeers and pikemen hurrying past.
These men were making towards a wide street that seemed to lead towards the centre of the town, and in reality conducted to the market-place, whither the soldiers were proceeding.
In this street were a multitude of townsfolk—men and women—who welcomed the soldiers with enthusiasm, and proffered them jugs of ale, which were quickly emptied.
Part of the mud walls, and a barricade, that served to defend the Bradshaw Gate, could be seen from the window on the left. On the right were more fortifications.
As seen from this window, the town looked like a mass of black and white houses, in the midst of which rose the tower of the church, surmounted by a broad banner. Very few soldiers could be perceived on the walls, and none at the barricades. All had gone to the taverns, or to the houses of friends, to refresh themselves.
Engracia and her attendant were still gazing at this strange scene, with mingled emotions of fear and curiosity, when the door opened and Don Fortunio entered the room accompanied by Rosworm.
As the latter had shown them great kindness during their brief captivity, Engracia manifested much pleasure on beholding him.
“Colonel Rosworm has been endeavouring to obtain our release, but without success,” said Don Fortunio to his daughter. “Colonel Rigby will not give him a decided answer.”
“He is unwilling to part with you,” said Rosworm. “I offered him the jewels, but he would not be tempted.”
“Is there no hope of deliverance?” she asked. “Are Prince Rupert and Lord Derby gone?”
“No; they have only retired for awhile,” replied Rosworm. “The assault will be renewed.”
“Holy Mother be praised!” exclaimed Engracia. “There is still hope of deliverance.”